WEST virginia legislature

2024 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

Senate Bill 690

By Senators Rucker, Barrett, Chapman, Clements, Deeds, Hamilton, Hunt, Karnes, Martin, Queen, Roberts, Smith, Stuart, Taylor, and Nelson

[Originating in the Committee on Economic Development; reported February 15, 2024]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §19-36-6, relating to creating a commission on West Virginia Agritourism; providing for membership, appointment, and term lengths; clarifying members receive no compensation or reimbursement for expenses; providing for powers and duties; and requiring report to Legislature and Governor.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

Article 36. Agritourism rESPONSIBILITY ACT.

§19-36-6. West Virginia Agritourism Commission created; composition; appointment; terms in office; compensation and expenses; powers and duties.

(a) There is hereby created the Agritourism Commission which shall consist of the Commissioner of Agriculture or designee, who shall serve as chair, and eight members, who shall be residents and citizens of the state.  The citizen members shall have experience in agritourism and represent the sectors of: (1) Economic development; (2) tourism; (3) agriculture extension service; (4) farm distilleries; (5) vineyards; (6) wineries; (7) small farms; and (8) the Farm Bureau.

(b) The citizen members shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, no later than July 1, 2025. No more than five members may belong to the same political party. The commission members shall serve a term concurrent with that of the Governor's term in office. Commission members may be reappointed to additional terms.

(c) The commission members shall review and investigate means of preserving our farmland and growing our agricultural tourism and agricultural economic development.

(d) Commission members shall not be compensated for their services or reimbursed for expenses.

(e) The commission:

(1) May meet with similar commissions or bodies of any of the several states whose purpose in their respective states is to preserve farmland, grow agricultural tourism, and agricultural economic development;

(2) Shall recommend appropriate legislation to the Legislature, including establishing regulatory and legislative relief to foster the development and growth of agritourism and successful farms; and

(3) Shall prepare an annual report to the Legislature and Governor, by the first day of the regular legislative session, concerning commission activities, recommendations, and other necessary information.